The Viall Files Podcast Summary: Episode E840 – Going Deeper with Garrett and Taylor from Love Is Blind

Release Date: November 13, 2024

Introduction to Guests and Current Life

In this episode of The Viall Files, hosts Nick Viall and Natalie Joy are joined by Garrett Taylor and Taylor Crow, a married couple from the reality TV show Love Is Blind. The conversation delves into their life post-show, exploring the dynamics of their relationship, adjustments to reality outside the camera, and their future plans.

Adjusting to Real Life After Love Is Blind

Garrett and Taylor discuss the transition from being on a reality TV show to living together in the real world. Initially planning to relocate to San Diego, the couple faced challenges adjusting to life on two coasts. Garrett shares, “[02:18] Garrett Taylor: No. Lots of food and laughs and a little bit of TV show. We honestly, it has been really cool. The bicoastal thing has been the biggest challenge.”

They eventually settled primarily in Fredericksburg, Virginia, balancing time between San Diego and their hometown. Taylor adds, “[02:42] Garrett Taylor: We've got the map. It’s like an hour south of D.C. if there's no traffic.”

Communication and Moving Challenges

A significant portion of their discussion centers around the logistical and emotional challenges of relocating and cohabitating. Garrett reflects on a pivotal conversation where he expressed his need to stay closer to home, leading to adjustments in their initial plans. “[04:26] Taylor Crow: Well, I want to clarify. It’s funny on the show it seems like we decided we’re moving to San Diego immediately after getting married. And that was never the discussion…”

Garrett elaborates on his feelings of homesickness and the realization that the remote living lifestyle was unsustainable for their new marriage. “[05:06] Garrett Taylor: I started to really feel something. I think it was on the way back from... I miss my family and friends. This is really hard for me.”

Handling the Show’s Reveal and Public Perception

The couple discusses the intense experience of the show’s reveal process, where they transitioned from speaking without seeing each other to being in a highly publicized relationship. Garrett shares the confusion and overwhelming emotions during the reveal: “[22:16] Taylor Crow: I mean, we were really in love with each other... It was really hard to describe.”

Nick Viall probes into how they managed to maintain their relationship despite the pressures of public scrutiny and the show’s format. “[04:00] Nick Viall: How did you approach that? Was that an ongoing conversation or something you built up the courage to discuss?”

Intimacy and Privacy in the Relationship

Garrett and Taylor address the delicate balance between showcasing their relationship on camera and maintaining personal boundaries. They emphasize the importance of private communication about sensitive topics like intimacy. Garrett explains, “[25:06] Garrett Taylor: Those conversations started in the pods, but Taylor and I didn’t want to talk about it in public... We decided to write notes to one another.”

Taylor adds, “[26:33] Garrett Taylor: Yes, they have looked after you guys... We did talk about it because you’re hanging out kind of before you do see your person in Cabo with the boys a little bit.”

Dealing with Online Criticism and Social Media

The episode delves into the challenges of handling online hate and maintaining mental well-being amidst public criticism. Garrett recounts an incident where he received hurtful messages from an ex, leading to tension in his marriage. “[33:24] Garrett Taylor: Yeah. So I didn’t reach out and, like, say, hey, by the way, like, heads up.”

Both Garrett and Taylor discuss strategies for managing negative feedback, such as filtering out harmful comments and focusing on supportive relationships. Taylor shares, “[57:46] Ashley: And I think that’s kind of for certainly where it’s gotten to because I...”

Reflections on Other Love Is Blind Couples

Guests reflect on the experiences of other couples from Love Is Blind, particularly Marissa and Ramses, analyzing how physical chemistry can impact relationship longevity. Nick observes, “[27:39] Nick Viall: It can make it harder for two people to remain objective about their feelings...”

Taylor concurs, “[28:10] Taylor Crow: Yeah, I really don’t have a ton of visibility into, like, everything that happened... I think we got to the other side and we’re still definitely figuring it out.”

Relationship Advice Segment with Caller

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts address a caller, Ashley, who is struggling with issues in her long-distance relationship. Ashley explains her challenges with her partner’s frequent travel and lack of prioritization: “[66:18] Ashley: ...he had a trip tentatively planned... I have somebody else. I need to make a priority.”

Nick and the guests offer advice on setting clear expectations, the importance of communication, and the necessity of aligning future goals to sustain long-distance relationships. Nick advises, “[70:37] Nick Viall: What I’m hearing is that like, I’m always trying to always empathize with both parties when I hear stuff like this.”

Closing Remarks and Future Plans

In their closing discussion, Garrett and Taylor talk about their plans to move to Washington, D.C., and Garrett’s interest in continuing his modeling career. Garrett shares, “[92:19] Garrett Taylor: And Natalie’s like, I’ve been so... planning to move to D.C. ironically.”

They emphasize the importance of maintaining their individual identities while nurturing their relationship. Taylor concludes, “[93:45] Garrett Taylor: ...it’s not real.”

Nick wraps up the episode by highlighting the importance of controlling one’s narrative post-reality TV and encourages listeners to support Garrett and Taylor as they navigate their public and private lives.

Notable Quotes:

• “[02:18] Garrett Taylor: No. Lots of food and laughs and a little bit of TV show. We honestly, it has been really cool. The bicoastal thing has been the biggest challenge.”

• “[05:06] Garrett Taylor: I started to really feel something. I think it was on the way back from... I miss my family and friends. This is really hard for me.”

• “[22:16] Taylor Crow: I mean, we were really in love with each other... It was really hard to describe.”

• “[25:06] Garrett Taylor: Those conversations started in the pods, but Taylor and I didn’t want to talk about it in public... We decided to write notes to one another.”

• “[33:24] Garrett Taylor: Yeah. So I didn’t reach out and, like, say, hey, by the way, like, heads up.”

• “[66:18] Ashley: ...he had a trip tentatively planned... I have somebody else. I need to make a priority.”

• “[77:02] Taylor Crow: ...you need to have some kind of understanding of where this is going.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Viall Files provides an in-depth look into Garrett and Taylor’s journey from Love Is Blind to their current married life, shedding light on the complexities of their relationship, the challenges of living apart and together, and the impact of public scrutiny. They offer valuable insights and advice for listeners navigating similar relationship dynamics, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and mutual support.